Where is it better to relax in Thailand or Vietnam? Thailand or Vietnam: where is it better and cheaper to relax? Where are the best prices for housing and food - in Vietnam or Thailand?
Hello citizens who love to travel! Two most interesting countries, which is better Vietnam or Thailand? If you are looking for, where is it better to go, Vietnam or Thailand, then you have come to the right place! We will tell you in detail about the intricacies, features, advantages and disadvantages of holidays in two wonderful countries. You're ready, let's go! Let's start with the fact that both countries are typical Asian, and Southeast Asia is united by eternal summer 365 days a year, heat, worship of Buddha, sluggishness, movement on scooters, a very modest life, fresh fruits, fish and seafood.
In general, the point is that no matter which country you decide to choose, , in both countries rest It will be very, very colorful! If you are traveling for the first time, then immediately be prepared for slight chaos on the streets, for small lizards, rats, cockroaches and other living creatures running around the streets. It’s unpleasant at first, but after just a couple of days you get used to it! And the foot-and-mouth lizard in the shale is not “oh, ugh,” but she lives here, this is her house. 🙂 Moreover, there are many more advantages of relaxation! Don't rush to leave!
Prices, cafes, bars and restaurants, where is cheaper Vietnam or Thailand
Prices for absolutely everything pleasantly please the eyes of tourists. Will you choose Vietnam or Thailand, doesn't matter. The more popular the place, the more tourists vacation, the more expensive it is. But as practice shows, Vietnam is still cheaper in all respects, from taxi prices to the cost of food in stores and cafes.
There are plenty of cafes here and there.
Fruits, fish and seafood
Due to the climate and geographical location, nature has generously endowed both countries with a huge selection of fruits, fish and seafood. We were in Phuket and Samui (Thailand) and in Nha Trang with Phan Thiet (Vietnam). Let me say this, the palm in the assortment of fish gifts belongs to Vietnam! At least what we saw in the cafe. I admit that there is a rich choice in markets everywhere, but tourists eat mainly in cafes near the beaches in tourist areas. The choice in Vietnam, of course, is amazing - a dozen types of shells the size of a little finger or palm, many different seaweeds, shrimp, crabs, langoustines, of course, and much more.
By the way, if you are a lover of mangoes and pineapples, then you should go to Thailand, since that is where they are divine.
Thai and Vietnamese cuisines
The Vietnamese and Thais will give you the opportunity to experience a gastronomic orgasm. Quantity national dishes huge. Thai cuisine is spicier due to the many spices, while Vietnamese cuisine is more familiar, soft, and refined in taste. What to choose, Thailand or Vietnam with a child, the question is ambiguous. I came across the opinion that Thailand is supposedly more developed and civilized, which I cannot agree with. I believe that this very level of civilization is determined by the place where you decide to relax. Also, a lot depends on the establishments where you eat. But in terms of cuisine, Vietnam is better for children.
Tour costs, tickets
Depending on your preferences, you can choose Where is it better to relax, Vietnam or Thailand?, and buy a ready-made tour. Naturally, prices depend on the season, resort, hotel category, number of nights.
The main criterion is the resort and the season! Mostly, prices for Thailand are higher, simply due to the fact that Thailand is more promoted and known on the Russian market.
Flying to Vietnam on your own is sometimes much cheaper than using a travel agency, but traveling to Thailand is mostly profitable by purchasing a ready-made tour.
Also, when choosing Vietnam or Thailand, which is better?, an important factor for me personally is the availability of a direct flight.
Sea, beaches
My favorite here is Thailand. The water is more emerald and beckons, the photos come out amazing.
Vietnam is also famous beautiful sea, it’s just completely different there, the taste and color here, as they say.
The beaches are decent in both countries. Vietnam is still more unknown in this regard; you can find beautiful, wide, long beaches without crowds of tourists. By the way, many people in Thailand feel uncomfortable because of the presence of transvestites on the streets. They meet there often. In Vietnam, this is extremely traditional!
Thailand or Vietnam, which is better? The answer to this question depends more on the month of rest when you are planning your vacation. On my own behalf, I can say that my husband and I vacationed once each in Phuket (October), Samui (December), Nha Trang (June), and Phan Thiet - Mui Ne (November). And everywhere is good, I personally would go to every place more than once! At some point in life you want to go to Thailand more, after a certain time you are more drawn to Vietnam.
My impressions of Thailand and Vietnam are very different, this is largely due to the fact that the vacation was at different points in my life, and in ordinary everyday life anything can happen - and at work there can be failures, quarrels with near and dear people, and other unpleasant moments . Each trip is a unique story, because how we spend our vacation and what new emotions we bring with us also depends on the mood with which we came to relax.
Everywhere is good, choose based on your intuition, and this will be your best vacation!
Since Türkiye has slightly lost its position, the eyes of Russian tourists have turned to the east. From all countries South-East Asia the most suitable conditions Thailand and Vietnam were suggested for holidays. And if the first has long been popular among tourists and attracts them with its exoticism, the second has only now begun to gain popularity. They are very similar, so the choice of “Thailand or Vietnam?” It is very difficult for tourists. We will describe the differences between these countries.
Climate
Both countries are in Southeast Asia. It is warm here all year round and there is no distinct summer or winter, but there is a rainy season.
Vietnam can be visited all year round. In winter, it is most pleasant to relax on Phu Quoc Island, in summer - in Nha Trang or Hoi An. It has been raining almost everywhere since the end of October.
In this regard, it is also democratic. It is most comfortable here in winter, when it is dry and not too stuffy and humid. This is especially true for such a popular resort as Phuket. In Koh Samui, it rains mainly in the fall, but usually this does not interfere with your vacation.
As you can see, in any month you can find a resort in Vietnam or Thailand that is better to go to. So the choice is not between countries, but between resorts.
There is another important point - acclimatization, adaptation to the country’s climate. It is less hot in Thailand, but tourists note that the heat is much more difficult to bear due to high humidity. This is especially true in summer and autumn when it rains. It’s easier to breathe in Vietnam; the climate is reminiscent of Crimea and Sochi.
Bottom line: The climate in the two countries is similar, but winter in Vietnam is not as comfortable as in Thailand, but acclimatization is easier.
Beaches
In terms of beaches, Vietnam is definitely inferior to Thailand. The water here is not so clear, there are many locals on the public coast, and the infrastructure is less developed. Beautiful beaches, but they need to be reached by bicycles and there is almost no infrastructure there.
The beaches of Thailand are cleaner and more equipped - except that in Pattaya the sea is quite dirty and not suitable for swimming. But you can find yourself in truly heavenly conditions. And in Thailand there are much more opportunities for active rest.
In Vietnam, almost all beaches have a gentle entrance to the water, which is pleasant for families with children.
The water is always warm, but in winter in the south of Vietnam it rarely warms up above +25 °C, while in Thai it is heated to +27 °C and above.
Bottom line: Thai beaches are better than Vietnamese ones in terms of cleanliness and infrastructure, but among the latter, in the distance, there are very quiet ones with untouched nature.
Attractions
If you are interested specifically in ancient Asian culture, then Thailand is strong in this regard - here great amount pagodas, Buddhist temples, Buddha statues, palaces and others interesting places. The nature here is also very beautiful, and excursions, according to tourists, are much better organized.
In Vietnam, after the war, there are few ancient monuments left, but there are interesting modern buildings. In Hanoi you can walk through beautiful parks, and in Dalat you can look at French architecture.
Bottom line: For exclusively excursion tours choose Thailand, better in winter when it’s not so humid and stuffy.
Infrastructure
Accommodation
Since Thailand has long been a popular resort, there is much more housing here - there are a lot of hostels and hotels even in the smallest resorts. There are various bungalows on the shore, and quite a few villas that are rented out to tourists, including some very close to the sea.
Along with a wide variety and high level services come and enough high prices. Often they are still lower than in Europe or the former CIS countries.
In Vietnam, the hotel infrastructure is not so developed. They have already appeared, but it’s often not very comfortable to relax in inexpensive ones. It is better to stay in three- and four-star hotels. Even in 5* hotels, prices are generally pleasing, especially since they offer fairly comfortable conditions.
Bottom line: For the most comfortable hotels, go to Thailand, for inexpensive ones - to Vietnam.
Nutrition
In Thailand there are a lot of cafes and restaurants, stalls with street food, so you will always find somewhere to eat. However, it is very spicy, and some tastes and dishes are so unusual that it can cause stomach problems. Adapting to local food is not easy.
There are also many cafes and restaurants in Vietnam, but they often close in the evenings. Street stalls also leave early and are not open during lunch - the Vietnamese have a siesta.
At the same time, it is much closer to us - often it is ordinary rice with meat, fish, rice noodles or light soups. Moderate spiciness. True, sometimes they add an unusual nyok-mam sauce to food, which is made from rotten fish - this exotic is not for everyone. Fresh vegetables and fruits are cheaper.
Vietnam is especially famous for its coffee - here ideal conditions for its cultivation. It is prepared using special aluminum filters, which gives it a special taste.
Food prices in both countries are approximately the same. Local food is cheap, but imported products like milk are quite expensive.
Bottom line: There is more food in Thailand, but it is unusual. Vietnamese cuisine is softer and less exotic.
Entertainment
If you want to relax as fun as possible, then you shouldn’t even wonder what is better: Thailand or Vietnam. In terms of entertainment, Tai is clearly the leader - even in small resorts there are discos and clubs, and in major cities They constantly organize noisy parties, interesting and exotic shows. There are also many more water parks and amusement parks. And the adult entertainment industry can be the envy of any other country in the world. Much better developed water activities and diving, especially on the islands.
Question to an expert: Which destination, Thailand or Vietnam, would you recommend for a holiday with children and why?
Nikolay Zhuravlev answers:
CEO
LLC "BUSINESS PLANNING EXPERTS",
experienced traveler
“Thailand is more suitable. Firstly, there is a much more developed recreation infrastructure there compared to Vietnam. Secondly, Vietnam has a completely different nature - the jungle with all the ensuing consequences. I once barely rode a moped around a huge cobra that stretched the entire width of the road and glittered under the moonlight so much that it gave me a shiver. Another time I was bitten quite badly at night by a swarm of some midges, so that the bites did not go away for two weeks. This has never happened in Thailand. And the main features of Vietnam, the freshest and cheapest seafood and wood products, are unlikely to be appreciated by children, since they are not yet mature.”
Vietnam has become popular among tourists recently, and its specialty is still calm and quiet family holiday. Noisy clubs and bars can only be found in Nha Trang, worth attention There are also amusement parks and water parks only in Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. And the Vietnamese go to bed very early, so after 10-11 pm the streets become very quiet.
Such a meager range of entertainment will upset the lover of night parties, but if peace and quiet attracts you, then Vietnam will be the ideal choice. And you can always go to Nha Trang for a few days and have a fairly good rest - the short distances between the resorts allow this.
Bottom line: For any entertainment, it is better to go to Thailand. If you are in Vietnam, then you can have fun in Nha Trang.
Visa regime
If you do not want to apply for a visa and you are choosing where to go, Thailand or Vietnam will suit you equally. There are no visa formalities at entry into these countries.
A Vietnam visa costs about $30 and is valid for 15 days. Placed at the airport after filling out a special form. In Thailand, upon entry, you will be given a stamp for free, which will allow you to stay in the country for 30 days.
Bottom line: You can enter Thailand easier, cheaper and for a longer period.
Prices
A flight to Bangkok from Moscow will cost less than to Nha Trang. Many flights with transfers. Direct charter flights during the season they cost about the same.
Prices for tours are also at the same level, around 20-30 thousand rubles per person for two weeks. But a trip to Vietnam can be cheaper thanks to low prices for accommodation.
Food prices in Thailand are higher, but not significantly. Goods and souvenirs here are also usually more expensive, but the range is wider. But taxis in Vietnam are one of the cheapest in the world, so you can save a lot on travel.
Bottom line: Vietnam is cheaper than Thailand in almost all respects.
Language
In Thailand, almost all locals speak English language, especially in tourist areas. Even in non-tourist markets you can always find someone who speaks English and bargain. And in some resorts, for example, in Pattaya, there are entire Russian restaurants and shops.
In Vietnam, the circumstances are different - almost everyone speaks only the local language, price tags in supermarkets and signs are not duplicated in English. This doesn’t interfere with relaxing in a hotel on the beach, but if you travel around the country, you’ll have to learn a couple of phrases and get a phrase book.
Bottom line: In Thailand, if you speak English, you won’t be lost, but in Vietnam, if you speak English independent travel You can't do without a phrasebook.
What to choose
Travel to Thailand if you:
Do you want to relax noisily and cheerfully?
Appreciate the developed tourist infrastructure.
Planning walks around the resorts and chatting with locals.
Do you want to get acquainted with eastern sights?
Would you like to plunge into exotic shows?
Prefer the most comfortable hotels.
Do you want to relax for more clean beaches and sea.
Are you planning a trip in winter?
You will like Vietnam if you:
Do you want to save money on your tour?
Interested in France - the French have had a huge influence on local architecture and culture.
Do you want to relax quietly, in nature?
Don't strive for maximum comfort.
Have difficulty withstanding heat and extreme humidity.
Love the coffee - it's outstanding here.
Traveling with small children.
More details about the choice between these two countries can be seen in the video of an experienced traveler who lived in Samui and Nha Trang for several months
Travelers often find it difficult to choose where to go - Thailand or Vietnam, Phuket or Nha Trang - which is better? Both there and there the sun shines, clean air and warm water, beautiful views, delicious cuisine, and even the prices for tours are approximately the same.
To decide where it is better to go first, Nha Trang or Phuket, you can compare these two popular tourist destinations on several components of the holiday, based on budget, expectations and needs.
Flight, airfare
The stunning white beaches of Phuket.The road from Moscow to Thailand will take about 8-9 hours; to Vietnam you will have to get only one hour longer. As for the cost of plane tickets, the price range is the same; the costs of flying to Vietnam or Phuket will be approximately equal.
Weather, when is the best time to go?
In winter, the center and north of Vietnam are slightly cooler than in Thailand. But there is not much difference, both of these places are hot and humid. The most popular time, when resorts are filled with tourists, is the period from December to March.
During the hot summer months, people of retirement age and families with children should prefer Danang or Nha Trang, located in Vietnam.
Beaches and resorts: where is better in Thailand or Vietnam
In Thailand you will find many excellent beaches with well-developed infrastructure, with white squeaky sand, pebbles or underwater corals. For exotic lovers, there are also almost wild secluded shores.
In Vietnam beach holiday very attractive thanks good climate, sandy beaches and well-developed infrastructure. Those who like this pastime should prefer the south of the country; the optimal period is from November to February. Due to the summer rains in the south, holidays here are not entirely comfortable, so tourists at this time choose northern resorts. The beaches have umbrellas, sun loungers, and cafes and snack bars where you can have a snack and drink.
Beaches of Phuket in Thailand. Among the resorts in Thailand, the most popular are Pattaya and Phuket, and the main beaches are located on Koh Samui. Best resorts Vietnam - Nha Trang, Ha Long, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc, Dalat, Vang Tau. Comfortable rooms are located here hotel complexes, surrounded by tropical vegetation, with a high level of services. Sandy beaches, visiting a variety of excursions, entertainment in parks for children and adults, high-quality and tasty food - something that cannot but attract an experienced traveler.
Vietnam in almost all respects better Thailand and in terms of resorts for vacationers from our country. Firstly, there are not many vacationers here, and secondly, almost everywhere you can see signs in Russian and hear Russian speech. It's incredible in Nha Trang beautiful landscapes, clear sea, wide coastline, and Pattaya is more famous for its nightlife.
Beach in Nha Trang On the other hand, in Thailand there are more opportunities to enjoy a holiday on the seashore in a bungalow, or to retire on an island with only a few shops, markets, bars, and inexpensive hotels.
Where is it cheaper - in Thailand or Vietnam?
Tourists usually choose a tour depending on the cost of accommodation. If you buy a tour of up to 14 days, then Vietnam will cost you less, where you can find pretty good conditions in guesthouses for $20 per day. For a long period of time, a trip to Thailand can become more affordable.
If we are talking about comfort and services (food, massage, shopping, car rental, excursions), then the prices are almost the same. In Vietnam, local alcohol and entertainment are much cheaper.
Vietnam or Phuket - which is better? Excursions and entertainment
In terms of attractions, Thailand is richer than Vietnam. It has preserved many interesting ancient places, and there are entire museum cities (Ayutthaya, Sukhothai). Since the war in Vietnam in the last century destroyed many monuments, excursion holiday less intense here. However, tourists can see such unique objects as colonial palaces and buildings.
Elephant rides in Phuket Nha Trang has a lot of entertainment: spas, mud baths, inexpensive restaurants, excursions to waterfalls and hot springs, and the popular Vinpearl entertainment complex. In Phuket you can go to a waterfall, visit a zoo or aquarium, a bird park, butterfly farms, take a bungee flight over the jungle, and ride elephants.
Nightlife, recreation for adults
Thailand can be called the undisputed leader. Each resort has discos, clubs, girls, night life rich and active. Tourists can find various bars, strip clubs, and a variety of adult shows.
In Vietnam, clubs and discos, bars with available girls can only be found in Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City; other resorts are distinguished by their tranquility and the lack of a large selection of such entertainment.
Hello everyone! As you already understood from the title of the article, today we will find out with arguments and facts Where is better Thailand or Vietnam. As you know, these are the two most popular holiday destinations on the globe for Russians and others. During your holidays here you can meet many tourists from other countries, such as America, Germany, India, England, etc.
I will compare Thailand and Vietnam based on my personal feelings and life in resort towns Nha Trang and Pattaya. Let's start with the fact that both of these countries are located in southern Asia, where there is always a favorable, warm climate. At first glance, life in these cities seems very similar, but each of them has its own pros and cons, I will list them below in the text. And this is me in Thailand with local Thai “50 Cent”
Thinking about where is better, Thailand or Vietnam, I remembered this moment. In Nha Trang and Pattaya, we lived in the city center; we chose this location specifically so that all the places we needed were no more than a 10-minute walk from home. In the evening in Pattaya, music is constantly blasting from everywhere almost until the morning, you get the feeling that the speakers are in the next room. In the first few days it is impossible to sleep, then you get used to it. If we take Nha Trang, then the situation here is absolutely the opposite, everything is quiet and calm.
Both resort towns are located on the shores of the South China Sea. Pattaya is located in a calmer place in terms of waves - in the Gulf of Thailand. Outwardly, Thais and Vietnamese are very similar, but the people of Thailand seemed to me more friendly and smiling. It’s not for nothing that Thailand is called the kingdom of smiles.
In these countries, the most popular transport is motorbikes (in our opinion, mopeds and motorcycles). In both cities, the traffic on the roads is very intense; in the first days it is impossible to cross the road, since they do not have traffic lights or pedestrian crossings. They probably don’t even know what it is 😆
There are no traffic rules as such either, so to understand how to cross the road, watch how they do it local residents and in a couple of days you will learn :-) I stood and watched traffic in both countries. In Pattaya, the situation on the roads sometimes makes sense to a logical understanding, but in Nha Trang I couldn’t understand anything.
In Nha Trang, a motorbiker moving in the far right lane can abruptly change lanes to the left without turn signals, cross a double solid lane and ride along the curb in the oncoming traffic - this is in the order of things. I was also surprised by the way some Vietnamese turn around on the ring, without making a circle, but immediately turn around in the middle and go in the opposite direction. In Russia, for such an act, at least they would honk the horn, they would catch up with them and register them as lyuli, but if a traffic police officer saw such chaos, then goodbye rights.
You can sit and compare where Thailand or Vietnam is better ad infinitum, so I propose to move on to a more specific comparison based on the most popular parameters, taking into account which tourists choose their holiday destination. Let's start with Vietnam.
Nha Trang:
Pros:
You can inexpensively eat almost any seafood (shrimp, mussels, lobster, scallops, etc.)
clean, free beach in the city center
located on the first line near the sea beautiful embankment with sports equipment where you can walk and exercise
You can get plenty of real Vietnamese coffee, and also buy it with you - a paradise for lovers of this noble drink.
there is an opportunity to ride one of the longest cable cars in the world and visit the entertainment island of Vinpearl
you can buy natural fabrics cotton and silk inexpensively
Given the current dollar exchange rate, food is 10-20% cheaper
mild, favorable climate
you can buy pearls and other items at reasonable prices gems
there is a normal one public transport with affordable prices - air-conditioned buses and cheap taxis
low cost of visa extension (6 months for three people about $160)
there is an opportunity to earn extra money on the spot: in bars, travel agencies, restaurants, watersheds
inexpensive alcohol, cheaper than in Thailand
In Vietnam, on an excursion to Yang Bay Park:
Minuses:
Shopping is not developed (few shopping centers and small assortment in markets)
it's a bit dirty in the city
in the evening in calm weather it is not recommended to walk along the beach, sand fleas may bite you
Vietnamese people bargain poorly and reluctantly
it is inconvenient to swim in the sea because big waves, especially in the late afternoon
the choice of housing is not so diverse, there is an acute shortage of condominiums
the people are a bit slow-witted (they only have 5 classes of free education)
few nightclubs and modern bars for parties
lower quality of life than in Thailand
no McDonald's
Pattaya:
Pros:
Shopping is well developed (many shopping centers, shops, discount centers with branded clothing and markets with a huge range of goods)
Thais are more smiling people and bargain well if done correctly
many modern nightclubs and bars for parties
there is a 5 storey shopping mall Tuk.com specializing in electronics - a paradise for lovers of phones, computers, photo and video cameras
a wide range of affordable housing from condominiums to single-family homes
many Russian television channels, both local and Russian
comfortable living conditions
There are many supermarkets where you can buy all the necessary things
developed tourist infrastructure
many interesting and unusual people with different countries
there is McDonald's
Minuses:
Dirty beach in the city center, you have to go to the islands to swim
If you live in the center, it is very noisy at night
high cost of visa extension and a lot of red tape, to extend it you need to contact the Thai embassy located in another country (the cost of a 3-month visa for three people with travel costs, if going to Malaysia is approximately $1000)
very hot and humid climate
no public transport except tuk-tuks
expensive taxi
Taking into account the current dollar exchange rate, food costs 10-20% more
alcohol is more expensive than in Nha Trang
While vacationing with my wife in these two wonderful resort cities, we came up with the following pros and cons that you read above. Based on them, you can choose the best option for yourself. I liked it in both countries, but next time I would go to Thailand.
If you always go on vacation to the same place, then be sure to spend your next vacation somewhere you haven’t been before. It is quite possible that you will discover a new favorite country for your holiday and a lot of new emotions and impressions!
I hope this article will help you decide on your choice of vacation spot. If you have any additions or observations, I will be glad to read them in the comments. Likes and reposts are welcome. Share this article with your friends on in social networks right now, perhaps this material will be relevant to someone at the moment.
To more accurately answer the question of where Thailand or Vietnam is better, then, of course, you need to visit there yourself and experience the quality and standard of living in both countries.
Who has already vacationed in Pattaya or Nha Trang? Where have you decided to go on vacation this year?
Many travelers going to Asia for the first time cannot choose where to go - Thailand or Vietnam. It seems that both there and there have “sun, air and water”, there are many resorts and prices for tours are also almost the same. The authors of the site lived in both of these countries for a long time and will now tell you in detail all the pros and cons. We will go through all the points, from comparing resorts to the quality of Internet connection. After this, you can decide for yourself where it is better - in Vietnam or Thailand, and where, first of all, you would like to go.
By the way, I take this opportunity to invite you to our website for Asia and other countries, including Vietnam: byvali.ru.
Flight
It’s almost the same here: both in terms of time and ticket prices. The flight from Moscow takes 8 hours, to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - an hour longer. Prices for different dates and for different ones are different, so both there and there you can find options in the same price range.
Climate and weather
During the winter months, the central and northern parts of Vietnam are cooler than Thailand. And it feels like less humidity. But in general, both there and there are tropics - hot and humid. The high tourist season is December-March. If you can’t stand the heat, then it’s better to go to Vietnamese Nha Trang, and even better - to Da Nang and Hoi An (by the way, there is also a sea there, which for some reason many are silent about).
Beaches
In Thailand, the choice of beaches is several times larger. Moreover, you can find both civilized ones with a well-developed infrastructure, and almost wild ones.
Resorts: “civilized vacation”
Here, in almost all respects, Vietnam is better than Thailand: fewer people, signs in Russian everywhere, cheaper food and hotels, fewer buildings, better ecology, more greenery. Nha Trang is much more beautiful than Pattaya, the sea is cleaner, the coast is wider, there are fewer people. In Thailand, only the nightlife with discos and available girls is more developed.
Resorts: "bounty"
Here it’s exactly the opposite. Even though Vietnam is less tourist country, there are fewer opportunities to catch a “bounty”, that is, to live on the seashore in a bungalow, without cars, on clean air. In fact, only Phu Quoc Island offers such opportunities, and even there there are only a few dozen hotels with detached houses right on the shore. And on the island of Con Dao and Cat Ba, such solitude is very expensive.
In general, Thailand better than Vietnam in terms of bounty.
Undersea world
Where is cheaper accommodation?
There are two options to consider here: short term or long. If you are going on vacation for two weeks, then with equal amenities in the room, Vietnam will be cheaper. For example, you can stay in inexpensive guesthouses with air conditioning there for $15 per night, which is impossible in Thailand. But if you come for a “winter” and want to rent the same guesthouse for several months, then the prices will be approximately equal, and sometimes Thailand will be cheaper, since the Vietnamese are not yet accustomed to renting out housing at resorts for a long period of time, and there is less competition.
Prices for goods and services
Almost the same here and there: food, massage, shopping, moving around the country (buses) and motorbike rental. Only alcohol from Vietnamese producers is much cheaper than Thai ones, but prices for world brands are the same.
Attractions
There have been no large-scale wars in Thailand for hundreds of years, so many ancient sights have been preserved. There are even entire cities-museums under open air: and Sukhothai.
And in Vietnam in the 60s-70s of the last century there was a war that destroyed many monuments. But! In large cities, especially Ho Chi Minh City, you can find European colonial palaces and buildings, which simply does not and never has happened in Thailand.
Visas
If you are just going on vacation for 2 weeks, then visas are not needed. You can stay visa-free in Thailand for 30 days, and in Vietnam for 15 days.
If you come to “winter,” then a visa is required. Recently, Vietnam has been better in this regard than Thailand. In Vietnam, you can get a visa for 3 months and then, without leaving the country, extend it for a total of another 6 months. And on the island of Phu Quoc you can live without a visa as long as you like.
Previously, it was possible to stay in Thailand for several years, simply by going to Visa Run every month. But now this has been cancelled, and visas are not issued to everyone (if you visit the country often, it’s possible to get a refusal), and they will cost more money, since after 60 days they must be extended for 1,900 baht, and after another month you will have to leave from the country. New six-month multivisas will be even more expensive.
Internet
Oddly enough, but according to this indicator, socialist and poor Vietnam better than Thailand. Wireless Internet is available everywhere, even in the most run-down guesthouse. Moreover, it is fast and without brakes. In Thailand it may not be available everywhere and is often slow. And if you happen to live in a condominium, then there may not be one at all.
Nightlife and adult entertainment
Here Vietnam is worse than Thailand. There, socialism, “the appearance of morality,” and for immorality they can give a decent fine. There are discos and clubs only in Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang; in other resorts you will have to search for them for a long time and may never find them. There are no bars with available girls, and single men can only get pleasure in the so-called “Karaoke”. But such establishments are not present everywhere. You won’t find them at all in Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet (Mui Ne), Hoi An or Dalat.
In this regard, Thailand is many times better than Vietnam. For party lovers, every resort has discos and clubs; on Koh Phangan, a crazy Full Moon Party happens several days a month. In Pattaya, Bangkok and Phuket, the nightlife is off the charts. Well, as for girls, Thailand has been the capital of the world for many decades. Various shows for adults, bars with available girls, Go Go strip clubs - all this can be found in abundance at any resort and in any city. Only in Pai this is not the case, and on Koh Lanta only in a few places on the entire huge island.
People, mentality
The Vietnamese are much closer and more understandable to us, which, however, does not make them more attractive. They are more stern and strict, they don’t smile “for nothing”, like the Thais, it’s clear what to expect from them. A bus driver may well yell at passengers, and a mother may yell at her child. If they like you, they will smile at you from the bottom of their hearts and court you; if you don’t inspire sympathy, then the Vietnamese will not keep up the mask of friendliness and make “knees” in front of you, but will simply send you three-story high. The concept of “loss of face” does not exist here, so in the country they say everything as it is, everything sincerely and from the heart. No ostentatious cordiality.
In this regard, Thailand differs from Vietnam. If you have even a little money, they will fawn and make you feel welcome. It’s often unclear what’s hidden behind their world-famous smiles. It is much easier to understand a Vietnamese than a Thai. Thailand was never under the colonial tutelage of the West, and European culture and mentality did not influence the Thais in any way. Therefore, this is a completely different world, alien and incomprehensible to us, although not devoid of attractiveness. Looking good, "not losing face" is the cornerstone of Thai culture. Emotions are often hidden, no shouting in public, everything is orderly. True, sometimes some people get overwhelmed and long-accumulated anger under a smile mask turns them into some kind of inadequate psychos.
As for girls, Thai women are more attractive in terms of spiritual qualities, more caring, friendly and affectionate. Vietnamese girls are more severe and cold, while girls of simple behavior are very mercantile and don’t even try to hide it like Thais. As for appearance, Thai women are more petite, thin and flat-chested, while Vietnamese women look more voluminous where they need to be.
But naturally, as in any country, in Thailand and Vietnam there are good people, and bad.